Advanced LiFePO4 Cell Balancing Discussion (and how people are getting ripped off)

I am hoping that this video proves once and for all, that active cell balancers are a joke. And a waste of money. And how people should actually balance their cells. If you want to learn about cell drift, and why active balancing is pointless over the long term, watch this video: https://youtu.be/cmZ-_sRnGj8

Going by some of the comments below, I have some beginners that are completely lost by this video. The whole point of this video is to show that active cell balancers are pointless for increasing capacity (which has been debated on solar message boards for months now, and it's driving me nuts). And that putting your cells in parallel at the flat part of the SOC curve is pointless for balancing. If this does not make sense to you, you need to watch my beginner videos.

The theory people use for justifying the use of active balancers for increasing capacity: The packs capacity is determined by the lowest capacity cell. If you have an active balancer efficiently charging up the lowest capacity cell while cycling, the LVD and HVD will not be triggered as quickly, and you will get longer run times (theoretically). People use this as the main factor in buying active balancers for mismatched systems. So I did the mismatched cell experiment and found that using active balancers will not increase capacity by much regardless.

Also, if you are a beginner and you do not understand why you need to top vs bottom balance, you really need to stop watching this video and watch my older videos or read some battery books that cover the various applications. THIS VIDEO IS NOT FOR YOU.

If you have quality cells that are matched by ir and capacity, you do a solid bottom/top balance, use a quality bms and do not push the thermal limits of your cells, you do NOT need to balance your cells often (or at all. I have run systems without bms for months and they stayed within .01V of each other).

I am seeing a lot of ignorant comments below and I really need people to educate themselves on the basics and why this topic has been debated in battery building groups, and the whole point of my tests.

Check out my international best-selling book on off-grid solar (Amazon affiliate link):
http://amzn.to/2Aj4dX4

Does off-grid solar confuse you? Check out my website for solar system blueprints, suggested components and much more! http://www.mobile-solarpower.com/

Check out our community! DIY hobbyists and professionals all on a free, professional grade forum: https://www.diysolarforum.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business email (I am not available for personal project consult! Business inquiries only):
[email protected]

Paypal: [email protected]

Fan mail/products to be reviewed, can be sent to:
William Prowse
1550 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy
Ste R #65
Henderson NV 89012

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for watching! :)
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Links in description are affiliate links. My videos are for educational purpose only. Information is subject to change/update at anytime. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My Video Gear (Amazon affiliate links, ad)
Workhorse Camera (I have 3 of them): https://amzn.to/2u8WiK4
Favorite Lenses:
10-18mm: https://amzn.to/2UEKsms
16mm: https://amzn.to/2XULih7
50mm: https://amzn.to/2TEV7RM
Microphone: https://amzn.to/2Fckoty
Video Light: https://amzn.to/2u9UIYa
Camera Cage so I can mount everything: https://amzn.to/2W3NZv1
Cage Handle: https://amzn.to/2TEc0f9
Tripod: https://amzn.to/2u4ONnr
My memory card: http://amzn.to/2qZ4onW
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
​an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
FTC Disclosure Statement:
Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these.